Metro East Sun

City of Belleville Economic Development & Annexation Committee met June 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

COMMISSION MEMBERS:

Mayor Patty Gregory Excused

Dr. Mary Stiehl, Alderwoman-Ward 6, Chairwoman Present

Steve Hemmer Present

Chuck Blanquart Present

Brett Baltz Excused

Zach Bair Present

Jennaver Brown Present

Andria Powell Present

Amber Weiss Present

GUEST ALDERMAN/ELECTED OFFICIALS: None

STAFF:

Cliff Cross, Director, Economic Development, Planning & Zoning Department

Eric Schauster, Economic Development, Planning & Zoning Department Asst. Director Kathy Kaiser, Director of Public Relations, Communications & Marketing

Penny Moore, Secretary, Economic Development, Planning & Zoning Department GUESTS: Courtney Adams

The meeting of the Downtown Development/Redevelopment Commission (DDRC) held at Grimm & Gorly, located at 324 East Main Street, Belleville, IL, as scheduled at 4:00 PM.

Alderwoman, Dr. Mary Stiehl, Chairwoman, called the meeting to order after declaring that there was a quorum. After introducing the members, staff, elected officials and guests present, emergency procedures were explained.

Chairwoman Stiehl asked if there were any corrections to be noted for the January 24, 2022, meeting minutes. No changes were made. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Steve Hemmer and was seconded by Zach Bair. The minutes were approved with all present members voting in the affirmative, by a vote of 7-0. (4:02 PM)

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

None

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Discussion regarding downtown marketing:

Cliff Cross explained, Mayor Gregory requested that this item be added to the agenda for the Commission to discuss a strategic approach to marketing, that the city may assist the Downtown Merchants with. Findings from the Commission will be implemented in the Economic Development page, City Website and in Public Relations. Mr. Cross reminded the Commission that the Economic Development Strategy is planned to include a piggy-backed Downtown Development Strategy that will assist in identifying an annual plan, annual budget, and a strategic approach in how we move forward.

Kathy Kaiser shared, for the first time the city has received a significant budget of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) to market the City of Belleville, city-wide, that must be used by the end of the fiscal year, which is April 30, 2022. Ms. Kaiser added, she is currently structuring a strategic plan to allow input from everyone, including downtown business owners. (4:05 PM)

B. Discussion and possible motion regarding the name change of the Downtown Development/Redevelopment Commission:

Chairwoman Dr. Stiehl reminded the commission that they would like to remove the word “Redevelopment” from the commission’s name. Mr. Cross explained, the name is defined in Ordinance number 5035, section 2, but will confirm with legal. Mr. Cross added, he did not believe it would be difficult to change the name by striking section 2, then taking the ordinance to the Ordinance and Legal Committee. (4:08 PM)

A motion to change the name of the Downtown Development/Redevelopment Commission to the Downtown Development Commission was made by Steve Hemmer. It was seconded by Jennaver Brown. With all present members voting in the affirmative. Motion carried. 7-0. (4:10 PM)

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Discussion of the Economic Development Strategy:

Mr. Cross reminded the commission, previously discussion at the beginning of this year, occurred of the city doing an Economic Development Strategic Plan with a piggy-backed Downtown Development Strategy Plan. Mr. Cross explained that he plans to take the plan to the Economic Development and Annexation (ED & A) Committee next week.

The ED & A Committee will interview all four (4) consultants that have submitted proposals during a Special Meeting next month. The consultant that is selected will then begin a community engagement process, to include a steering committee and the identification of the stakeholders.

Mr. Cross mentioned that someone from this committee may be asked to be on that committee. The funding for the Strategic Plan was found through the TIFs, most of those funds would have had to be given back if they were to expire. Mr. Cross stated that he will come back to the Downtown Development/Redevelopment Commission with future updates.

Discussion occurred regarding the Downtown Development/Redevelopment Commission goals and objectives. (4:21 PM)

Adjournment:

With no other business to discuss, Chairwoman Alderwoman Stiehl asked for a motion to adjourn.

A motion to adjourn was made by Chuck Blanquart. It was seconded by Zach Bair. With all present members voting in the affirmative. Motion carried. 7-0.

Chairwoman Alderwoman Stiehl adjourned the meeting at 4:29 PM.

https://www.belleville.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06272022-2795